CS 105 – Introduction to Computer Concepts Syllabus

Instructor: Bahar Delibas

Office: S-3-134

Office Hours: Tue-Thu, 10:00am-11:00am

E-mail: Ayse.Akbal002@umb.edu

Website: www.cs.umb.edu/~abakbal/Bahar_Delibas/CS105

Course Description:

This course presents an overview of the role of computers in society -- their application, capabilities and limitations. Applications may include artificial intelligence, medical, aerospace and business uses of computers. Computer hardware and associated technologies will be discussed. Computer programming will be taught from a non-mathematical, problem solving point of view - the objective being an understanding of the programming process rather than the development of computer programs. This survey course is not part of the computer science major sequence. Students planning to major in computer science should start with CS 110. Also please note that no student will receive graduation credits for CS 105, if it is taken after the successful completion of CS 110 or a higher level computer course. Students who enroll in CS 110 after taking CS 105 may receive less than the normal number of credits for CS 110.

As a student in this course, you will learn the most important topics of Computer Concepts. No prior computer experience is assumed.

Text:

Nell Dale and John Lewis, Computer Science Illuminated, 5th edition, ISBN: 9781449672843.

Teaching Methods:

1.Lectures: Important material from the text and outside sources will be covered in class. Students should plan to take careful notes as not all material can be found in the text or readings. Discussion is encouraged as is student-procured outside material relevant to topics being covered.

2.Assignments: End of chapter homework will be assigned weekly to reinforce material in the text. There will be 6 assignments in total (4 written assignments, 1 programming assignment and 1 presentation).

3.Exams: Three exams will be given. The exams will be closed book/notes and will test assigned readings and material discussed in class. The final exam will be comprehensive in nature. A review session will be given before the final exam, possibly with a practice exam.

4.Participation: Student participation will be graded by the level of class participation and attendance. Unexcused absences will affect your grade. Every missed class will deduct 10% of your participation points.

Grading:                                                                                               

Total points will be computed as follows.

Participation: 10%

Midterm #1: 15%

Midterm #2: 15%

Final Exam:  25%

Assignments: 35% (6 assignments)

Total: 100%

Course Policies:

Missed Classes: The student is responsible for obtaining material distributed on class days when he/she was absent. This can be done through contacting a classmate who was present or by contacting the instructor during his office hours or other times. Every missed class will deduct 10% of your participation points. No make-up exams will be given, except for real emergencies allowed for by the University policy.

Assignments: All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date due. Late submission of assignments will not be accepted. No exceptions are made.

Academic Dishonesty: All students are required to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct available at http://www.umb.edu/academics/vpass/undergraduate_studies/policies/code_student_conduct.

If you are caught cheating, I will follow the guidelines for punishment outlined in the code.

For this class, it is permissible to assist classmates in general discussions of computing techniques. General advice and interaction are encouraged. Each person, however, must develop his or her own solutions to the assigned homework and tasks. In other words, students may not "work together" on graded assignments.

Accommodations: Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 offers guidelines for curriculum modifications and adaptations for students with documented disabilities. If applicable, students may obtain adaptation recommendations from the Ross Center for Disability Services, Campus Center 2nd Floor, 2100 Street, Room 2010, 617-287-7430. The student must present these recommendations and discuss them with each professor within a reasonable period, preferably by the end of Drop/Add period.

Incomplete Policy: Students will not be given an incomplete grade in the course without sound reason and documented evidence as described by the University policy. In any case, for a student to receive an incomplete, he or she must be passing and must have completed a significant portion of the course.

Tentative Course Outline: